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The Committee notes the Government’s report received in September 2009 including its replies to the 2008 direct request.

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Employment trends and coordination of economic and social policy with poverty reduction. The Government reports a rise in the employment rate from 68.61 per cent in 2006 to 70.9 per cent in 2008, as well as the rate’s subsequent fall to 70 per cent in early 2009 due to the global crisis. The Committee notes the twin goals of the Socio-Economic Policy 2010–13 to increase the employment rate to 71.7 per cent by 2013 and to reduce poverty in the bottom fifth of the society through growth in this segment’s income from employment. It further notes that the goal of a 71.7 per cent employment rate, initially set to 2010, has been deferred to 2012 as a result of the crisis. The Government indicates that its policy tools include: welfare to work programmes, pilot negative income tax programmes, disability allowance schemes promoting integration, and special agencies for particular groups of the population. The Inter-Ministerial Committee for the Implementation of the Agenda evaluates the progress towards these goals and publishes a detailed annual report. The Committee appreciates the Government’s evaluation of the 2007 Orot Letaasuka programme for integrating welfare recipients in the workforce through special courses and financial incentives, which indicates a positive change of 8.2 per cent in the employment rate when measured against that of the control group. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information on the policies and programmes that promote full, productive and lasting employment opportunities to the unemployed and other categories of workers affected by the crisis. It also invites the Government to include in its next report information on how its programmes and policy measures specifically addresses poverty reduction.

Implementation of active labour market measures. The Committee notes the Government’s description of the progress made to increase the quality of the Employment Service’s job placements, including changes in its registration and interview processes, technological improvements in database maintenance, staff training and provision of special workshops for disadvantaged workers. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the success of the Employment Service’s new measures in increasing productive and lasting employment opportunities to ensure the integration of disadvantaged workers in the labour market.

Specific categories of vulnerable workers. The Government refers to new legislation enacted in April 2008 which aims to promote female employment. The Government has also identified the need to integrate 135,000 additional persons to close the 3 per cent gap between Israel’s and the average G7 employment participation rates by focusing on particular categories of the population, such as workers of Ethiopian origin and persons with disabilities. The Government indicates that an allocation of 5 million Shekels was granted for the improvement of existing businesses and the establishment of 150–200 new businesses for persons with disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the impact of such measures on the employment level of vulnerable categories of workers.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners. In reply to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government indicates that there is no structured form of consultation with social partners and that the Employment Service Council has not been active for some time. One employers’ organization and one workers’ organization are represented in a body that advises the Director-General. The Committee emphasizes that social dialogue is essential in normal times and that it becomes even more so in times of crisis. The employment instruments require member States to promote and engage in genuine tripartite consultations (General Survey of 2010 on employment instruments, paragraph 794). The Committee invites the Government to intensify its efforts to take into account the stakeholders’ perspectives in formulating and implementing employment policies. The Committee asks the Government to address this essential issue in its next report by demonstrating how the representatives of employers and workers are consulted at the policy planning and implementation stages so that their experience and views are taken into account.

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1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Employment trends and active labour market policies. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in October 2007 including replies to the 2005 direct request. It further notes the Socio-Economic Agenda, Israel 2008–10, prepared by the National Economic Council which includes two primary goals: to reduce poverty while encouraging growth and to create leverages for balanced, long-term growth. More specifically, the first goal is to reduce the incidence of poverty among Israeli families to a rate of 17.2 per cent by the end of 2010, compared to 20.2 per cent in 2007. The National Economic Council also indicates in the Agenda that young workers who will join the labour market in five–ten years will arrive with clear disadvantages in education, health and other skills needed to utilize their production potential. The Government indicates that a programme, Orot Letaasuka (formerly the Wisconsin Programme), is being implemented to integrate recipients of benefits in the workforce. According to statistics provided by the Government, the unemployment rate decreased from 10.4 per cent in 2004 and 9 per cent in 2005 to 8.4 per cent in 2006. The Committee asks the Government to provide further information on the effects of active labour market measures implemented and on achieving the employment goals listed in the Socio-Economic Agenda. It would also like information on the manner in which poverty reduction is specifically addressed in programmes and policy measures.

2. Furthermore, the Government indicates that, within the scope of the reform of the Employment Service, periodic, measurable performance targets were set in January 2004, and the increase in the employment volume was examined on a monthly and quarterly basis. In order to bring about a real increase in the number of jobs, employees of the Employment Service were remunerated according to output. Further to these incentives, there was a 29.9 per cent increase in the volume of job orders in 2004 as compared to 2003, while the volume of job placements increased by 23.1 per cent. In 2005, the number of job orders increased by 22.3 per cent, while job placements increased by 12.9 per cent. In 2006, the emphasis was placed on quality placements (meaning that an employee holds a job for at least 90 days). Consequently, there was a very limited increase in 2006, 1.4 per cent, in the number of job orders, and a drop of 8.5 per cent in the volume of job placements. Actions taken within the scope of the reform of the Employment Service include: employee training to improve the handling of jobseekers; information kiosks set up at employment bureaus; the creation of a job search web site; and a change to the interviewing process. The Committee asks the Government to continue providing information on the progress made by the switch to the quality placement model of the Employment Service and how the reform of the Employment Service will translate into productive and lasting employment opportunities for the unemployed.

3. Specific categories of vulnerable workers. The Government indicates that the National Insurance Institute is implementing activities targeting specific categories of vulnerable workers. As indicated in a December 2006 document published by the Institute, the goal of the Reshet Model, Continual Occupational Services Programme, was the integration of Ethiopian income-support recipients into the labour market by strengthening their qualifications to compete for jobs. The Committee notes the high rate of employment of the programme’s participants, approximately 75 per cent, as compared to 32 per cent among candidates who did not join the programme. The Committee asks the Government to provide in it next report detailed information on the impact of measures designed to encourage and support employment levels of vulnerable categories of workers such as Ethiopian jobseekers, older workers and persons with disabilities.

4. Article 3. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and application of policies. The Government indicates that the employment policy of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labour’s Employment Service is formulated as a collaborative effort, through constant consultation, particularly with employers’ organizations. At the formal level, in the Employment Service Council, employers’ organizations, as well as labour organizations constituting an integral part of the Council, are also consulted. The Government further indicates that the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labour’s Vocational Training Division routinely consults with employers’ organizations and professional unions. The Committee asks the Government to include in its next report information on the manner in which the consultations held by the Employment Service Council as well as by the National Economic Council have contributed to the implementation of an active employment policy within the meaning of the Convention.

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1. The Committee notes the information and the detailed statistical data contained in the Government’s report received in December 2004 and September 2005. It also takes note of the information contained in the document issued by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Employment, Employer’s survey: Demand for Workers in the business sector - 2nd Quarter/2005. According to this document, the positive trend in demands for workers accelerated and there was a significant improvement in other indicators in the job market. The unemployment rate decreased from 10.1 per cent in 2001 to 9.1 in the second quarter of 2005. Analysis of the second quarter of 2005 also reveals that employers are increasingly employing workers for longer periods. Improvement in the job market is also reflected in reports of employers concerning the difficulties they are experiencing filling vacancies in certain areas. The Committee requests the Government to provide, in its next report, detailed information on full- and part-time employment disaggregated data by age and gender, and other data on the situation, level and terms of employment and underemployment, so that it can examine the employment policy measures implemented in the country (Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention). The Committee reiterates its interest in information on how measures taken to promote employment operate within a "framework of a coordinated economic and social policy" (Article 2, paragraph (a)). In this respect, it would appreciate if the Government could also indicate how the key elements of monetary and fiscal policies contribute to employment objectives.

2. As regards the evaluation of the impact of the reform of the Employment Service raised in the 2003 direct request, the Government indicates that the relevant data are not yet available. The Committee hopes the Government will provide, in its next report, information on the various programmes implemented by the Employment Service and their impact on employment promotion.

3. Participation of the social partners. The Committee asks the Government to update, in its next report, information on consultations with the social partners which have taken place on the subject of employment policies, as requested by Article 3 of the Convention, by giving examples of the opinions expressed and the manner in which they were taken into account.

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The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report received in November 2002.

1. In relation with its 2001 direct request, the Government states that in 2001 Israel’s economy suffered the worst recession it has known in a very long time. GDP fell by 0.6 per cent, per capita GDP dropped by 8.2 per cent, business-sector product went down by 1.9 per cent, and employment in that sector also fell. The poor economic conditions during the period 2000-02 contributed to a rise in unemployment, which went from 8.8 per cent in 2000 to an estimated 10.2 per cent at the end of 2001. The Government makes reference to the global economic downturn, the security situation in Israel and the crisis in capital markets throughout the world as aggravating factors that made it impossible to ameliorate the situation in the labour market. The Committee welcomes the detailed statistics furnished by the Government and trusts that in its next report the Government will continue to provide detailed information on full and part-time employment and disaggregated data by age and gender and other data on the situation, level and terms of employment and underemployment (please refer to the information requested in the report form under Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention).

2. The Committee also notes the Government’s statement concerning reforms of the Employment Service, including new courses of instruction for Employment Service staff, improved administrative techniques and increased contact with institutions that work with the Employment Service (inter alia, the National Insurance Institute and the Ministries of Trade and Industry and Absorption). These reforms have aided the Employment Service in dealing with the increase in unemployed jobseekers as a result of a weakened economy and the rise in unemployment. Other measures implemented include the "From Welfare to Work" experiment scheduled to begin in 2003 that envisages the participation of private employment agencies alongside the Employment Service. Please continue to report on the various programmes implemented and their impact on employment promotion. The Government might consider it useful to refer to the instruments on private employment agencies adopted by the Conference at its 85th Session (1997).

3. The Committee notes the information on the participation of the social partners in employment services and consultation with them in taking decisions liable to have an influence on employment and economic policy in the circumstances of November 2002. It requests the Government to update information on consultations with employers’ and workers’ organizations which have taken place on the subject of employment policies, as requested by Article 3 of the Convention, by giving examples of the opinions expressed and the manner in which they were taken into account.

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The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report for 1998-99.

1. Article 1 of the Convention. The Government states that employment has risen significantly, but nonetheless, unemployment also rose during this period, due to a large decrease in vacancies. Unemployment increased from 8.6 per cent in 1998 to 8.9 per cent in 1999. Unemployment for women rose from 9.2 per cent in 1998 to 9.4 per cent in 1999. Unemployment among youth (15-24 years old) rose by 15 per cent during 1997-98, but decreased by about 2 per cent in the first two quarters of 2000. Unemployment among new immigrants decreased from 11.7 per cent in 1998 to 10.9 per cent at the end of 1999. Please continue to provide disaggregated data on labour market trends, including the nature of job growth (full-time, part-time, temporary, etc).

2. The Government states that it is focusing on improving the Employment Service in several ways to reduce frictional unemployment. It has strengthened its contacts with employers, both directly and through business organizations, to improve its placement and follow-up services. And it has established Internet sites for disseminating information on available jobs and jobseekers. The Government has adapted its vocational training to better prepare workers to use new technologies, and is looking at concrete ways to implement the concept of lifelong learning. Furthermore, the Government is considering extending the scope of its public works projects, particularly to those who have been unemployed long term. It intends to combine participation on these projects with education and training opportunities, to broaden the skills of participants. The Committee would appreciate receiving further information on the impact of these measures on employment promotion. Please also provide further information on the number of participants and the criteria used for selection.

3. The Committee notes that draft policies had been prepared to address structural unemployment, but they had not yet been approved by the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs. Please indicate whether these policies have been adopted and the measures taken to implement them.

4. Article 2, in conjunction with Article 3. In reply to previous comments, the Government states that employment policy is first proposed by the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs and then adapted to general economic policy. The final policy is implemented through specific programmes and twice yearly reviewed. The Government also states that general economic policy is determined in cooperation with the Economic and Social Council, which is chaired by the Prime Minister and includes participation of employers’ organizations, the General Federation of Labour, and several government ministries. The social partners are also consulted when legislation is under consideration. The Committee notes this information and would appreciate continuing to give details on the outcome of the evaluations and on ways in which the views of representatives of workers’ and employers’ organizations are taken into account.

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The Committee notes the information contained in the Government's report covering the period 1997-98. The Government states that economic growth began to slow substantially at the end of 1996, due to anti-inflation measures taken. GDP grew by less than 2 per cent in 1997, down from 4.5 per cent in 1996. Those most affected by the increase in unemployment are the young (aged 15-24), people who did not finish secondary school, and those living in developing areas. The Government is attempting to reduce interest rates gradually to stimulate growth. The Government adds that a decrease in the number of vacancies being posted in the Employment Service has resulted in fewer suitable jobs for registered jobseekers, leading to longer duration of unemployment spells. The Government is looking into transferring some functions of the Employment Service to private agencies to remedy the situation. The Government also is in the process of examining a proposal to replace "crisis" courses offered in times of unemployment with lifetime studies, to reduce the problem of mismatch. It also intends to increase the number of vocational courses available and to extend public works projects. The Committee would appreciate receiving further information on the effect of these efforts to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment, in accordance with Article 1 of the Convention. The Committee also notes the employment statistics supplied in the report and asks the Government to supply information on the trends of underemployment, as requested in the report form under Article 1.

Further to its previous comments, the Committee would appreciate additional information on the procedures adopted to ensure that the principal measures of employment policy are decided on and kept under periodical review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy, as specified in Article 2. It asks the Government to indicate whether formal procedures have been established for consulting with representatives of workers' and employers' organizations, and representatives of other sectors of the economically active population such as those working in the rural and informal sectors, on employment policies, as required in Article 3.

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1. The Committee took note of the Government's report on application of the Convention in 1995 and of the information supplied in reply to its previous request. It notes that the rapid growth in employment already recorded during the previous period has continued in 1995 and has allowed a further decrease in the unemployment level which stood at 6.2 per cent of the active population in the first six months of 1996. The Committee notes that, in the Government's view, this unemployment rate amounts to full employment, although there are pockets of unemployment which it intends to reduce through vocational training measures and temporary employment projects. The Government considers furthermore that the high growth rate of the economy has been achieved by increasing the deficit in the balance of payments and cannot be maintained in future. With reference to its previous request, the Committee invites the Government to indicate in its next report how the measures taken in spheres such as budgetary, monetary and exchange rate policies and price, income and salary policies are contributing "within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy" to pursuing the goal of full employment (on this matter, see the relevant questions of the report form under Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention).

2. The Committee notes that the extent of the various employment promotion programmes has been reduced as the employment situation has improved. Noting that assessment of the effectiveness of these programmes is in process, it requests the Government to supply with its next report the results of that evaluation, indicating any new measures taken or envisaged as a consequence.

3. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would describe the consultations of employers' and workers' representatives on the subject of employment policies which have taken place during the reporting period. It recalls in this respect that the consultations required by Article 3 of the Convention should not concern only the implementation of labour market policy measures but be extended to all aspects of economic and social policy which exert an influence on employment.

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1. The Committee notes the Government's report for the period ending June 1994 and the information supplied in reply to its previous request. The detailed data in the report show that the rapid growth in the economy at the end of the period has allowed an expansion in employment of Israelis in the public and private sectors greater than the increase in the labour force and a steep decline in the unemployment rate which, after culminating at 11.2 per cent in 1992, amounted to 7.8 per cent in 1994. The Government stresses in particular the positive effects of employment expansion on the reduction of unemployment among women, young people and, in particular, new immigrants who in view of their increased rate of employment, are enjoying rapid integration into the labour market. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes that it has been possible to reduce the unemployment rate from its 1989 level, although the working population has increased meanwhile by some 25 per cent.

2. The Committee has also taken note of the analyses of the Bank of Israel which indicates in its annual report for 1994 that this rapid growth in work and employment, attributed essentially to expansionist budgetary and monetary policies, has been accompanied by stagnation in productivity, increased inflation and growth in the balance of payments deficit. In this context, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would specify in its next report the measures implemented or envisaged "within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy" and bearing in mind "the mutual relationships between employment objectives and other economic and social objectives" in order to pursue as a major goal the promotion of full, productive and freely chosen employment in accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention.

3. The Government, which sees increased employment as an effect of investment and economic activity, states that the wage subsidies established in 1991 have been abolished. Nonetheless, other programmes to promote employment have been implemented since 1992. One of them, specially designed for new immigrants, aged 45 and over, provides financial assistance to employers participating in their integration. New immigrants are also among the main beneficiaries of the adult on-the-job training and temporary public works projects. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply information on these various programmes, along with any available assessment of the results attained, both in terms of lasting integration in employment of those concerned and in relation to their possible effects on employment of other groups of the working population.

4. The Committee notes with interest the indications on the effect given to Article 3 of the Convention by participation of the social partners in employment services management and consultation with them in taking decisions liable to have an influence on employment, especially in regard to setting the minimum wage and the unemployment compensation policy. It requests the Government to continue to supply information on consultations with organizations of employers and workers which have taken place on the subject of employment policies by giving examples of the opinions expressed and the manner in which they were taken into account.

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1. The Committee notes the Government's report for the period ending June 1992 and the information supplied in reply to its previous direct request. It notes the significant increase in the unemployment rate, which rose from 9.6 per cent in 1990 to over 11 per cent in 1992, despite a sustained growth in economic activity. The Committee notes that the arrival of new immigrants during the period contributed both to the increase in employment and the rise in unemployment. The Government notes a slowing down of immigration at the end of the period, and a lowering of the unemployment rate among the new immigrants, illustrating their progressive integration into the labour market. The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply detailed information on the measures which are taken to encourage the integration of the new arrivals into employment.

2. The Government states that, up to June 1992, its employment policy continued to be based partly on the adoption of measures to seek greater flexibility in the labour market through a reduction in the cost of labour for employers, the introduction of more restrictive conditions for access to unemployment benefit and the authorization of private employment agencies, as well as on the implementation of short-term programmes to combat unemployment. The Committee notes with interest the increase in the number of beneficiaries of vocational training courses for adults. It also notes that, since the beginning of 1992, the Government has been encouraging the creation of new jobs through subsidies to partly cover wages during the first two years following recruitment. Please supply any available evaluation of the results obtained by this measure. More generally, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply information on specific employment promotion policies and programmes which, according to the report, were under examination by the new Government formed after the June 1992 elections.

3. The Committee notes the statement that the Government's plan to change the system for fixing minimum wages encountered determined opposition from the Histadrut. With reference to its previous request, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply information in its next report on the consultations held with representatives of the persons affected concerning the employment policies followed during the reference period, in accordance with Article 3 of the Convention, with an indication of their objective, the opinions expressed and the manner in which they were taken into account.

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1. The Committee takes note of the Government's detailed report for the period ending June 1990 and the information provided in reply to its direct request. It notes that the downward trend in the employment situation referred to by the Government in its previous report continued during the period under consideration. The slow-down in economic growth was accommpanied by low growth in employment and a further increase in unemployment which affected 9.5 per cent of the active population in 1990. Despite a revival in economic growth at the end of the period, the employment situation remains worrying, particularly in view of the rapid increase in the active population and the present large-scale influx of new immigrants.

2. The Government indicates that its employment policy is aimed at achieving the high level of economic growth needed to expand employment through general economic policy measures, and at curbing the increase in unemployment in the short term through immediate measures in the labour market. In addition to measures to encourage private investment, the plan to stimulate economic growth includes measures to encourage greater flexibility in the labour market and wages, such as reducing the cost of labour by changing the legislation on the minimum wage, introducing more restrictive conditions for access to unemployment insurance benefits and lifting the state monopoly on employment services. Short-term action to curb unemployment includes stronger measures for the prevention of the illegal employment of foreign workers, the development of vocational training programmes, financial assistance to enterprises for the creation of jobs and the creation of temporary jobs in the public sector.

3. The Committee would be grateful if in its next report the Government would provide particulars of the implementation of the above measures and of how their impact - both past and future - on employment is evaluated. It also requests the Government to provide detailed information on the consequences of the recent large-scale influx of immigration for employment, the arrangements made to encourage the integration of the persons concerned into the labour market and any effects that this integration may have on the employment of other groups of the active population.

4. The Committee notes with interest the information concerning the consultation of the representatives of employers' and workers' organisations on employment policies. It notes that the Histadrut, which is associated with the discussions on employment policy at the highest level, is opposed to certain measures envisaged by the Government, and particularly the proposed changes in the system for fixing the minimum wage, and that the Government continues to seek an agreement on the matter. The Committee has no doubt that the Government will continue to provide information on the development of consultations with the representatives of the persons affected concerning employment policies.

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1. The Committee has noted the Government's report for the period ending June 1988, which contains replies to its previous comments. The data supplied in the report show that the unemployment rate fell from 7.1 per cent in 1986 to 6.1 per cent in 1987, but increased steadily since the beginning of 1988 (up to 6.9 per cent in the third quarter of 1988). Concerning the situation in the development areas the Government indicates that although unemployment is still more severe, on the average, than in the country as a whole, it had not up to the third quarter of 1988 risen at a faster pace than in the whole economy.

2. The Committee notes the broad information supplied by the Government on its economic policy measures and objectives, including the preparation of a new plan for the national economy for the period 1988-92, for which no indication, however, is given concerning its employment objectives. The Government indicates that it considers lack of overall demand rather than structural problems as the major cause of unemployment, that it believes it will need to adjust the application of macro-economic policies with a view to stimulating investment. Concerning specifically employment conditions, the report points to the reactivation of the Committee of Directors General of Economic Ministries but recognises that this cannot be expected to have a large impact on the national unemployment rate. It refers briefly also to selective measures and combined efforts with the trade unions to prevent the worsening of the employment situation.

3. Referring to its previous comments, the Committee notes that the gradual improvement in the employment situation expected by the Government did not materialise. In addition, contrary to the previous report, the report for 1987-88 foresees that the employment situation is likely to continue to worsen in the near future, affecting in particular older workers, young workers and the population of development areas. The Committee notes that this trend toward worsening employment seems to be confirmed, at least from the data for the first quarter of 1989 quoted by the Histradrut in its bulletin "Labour in Israel" (July 1989).

4. The Committee trusts that the Government will indicate in its next report the employment objectives included in development plans and programmes and describe how they are related to other economic and social objectives. Please also describe the policies and measures taken with a view to ensuring that there is work for all who are available for and seeking work, with particular reference to overall and sectoral development policies (measures in such fields as investment policy, fiscal and monetary policy, prices and wages policy, measures for maintaining and creating employment in development areas), labour market policies (measures for the adjustment of labour to structural change and measures to meet the needs of particular workers such as young people, older workers and the workers of development areas), and educational and training policies (in particular measures to co-ordinate them with prospective employment opportunities). Please refer on these points to the questions formulated in the report form under Article 1 of the Convention.

5. Please describe the procedures adopted to ensure that the effects on employment of measures taken to promote economic development receive due consideration, at both the planning and the implementation stages (Article 2).

6. Finally, please supply supplementary information concerning efforts made and measures taken in co-operation with the trade unions (Article 3).